Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
Virtual Honors Convocation
Alumna Mary Kuckertz Accepted Into Graduate School
Professor Getz Adds Personal Touch to Remote Learning
"This has been a large adjustment for everyone, but I think as a community we are doing a great job!"
Spring 2020 Advising FAQ
Kristen McCabe Awarded University Professorship
A University Professorship is the highest individual award that can be bestowed to a USD faculty member.
Darlene Ngo Accepted to PhD Clinical Psychology Program
This fall I will begin pursuing my PhD in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic emphasis at the University of North Texas
One Step Closer to Nurse Practitioner
Since graduating in 2016, Karishma's psychology degree has opened many doors.
Stephanie Misko Presents at SACNAS
Stephanie Misko presented her current research, "Exploring the relationship between Instagram Appearance Anxiety and related constructs"...
Psychological Sciences Professors Contribute Chapter in Book
Psychological Sciences professors Patricia Kowalski, PhD and Annette Taylor, PhD contributed a chapter in the recently published...
CUTA Research Sparks Interest in Psychology Student
Psychology senior Amanda Holbrook assists with research at the SDSU Center for Understanding and Treating Anxiety (CUTA). During her time...
Alumni Ellie Petty's Blog on the Peace Corps
Ellie Petty, a behavioral neuroscience alumni from the USD Class of 2019, has spent the past few months of her post-graduate career...
Mairead Nolan and Dr. Wanic on Trades Between Teams
Psychology professor Rebekah Wanic and student Mairead Nolan recently published an article called Showing Up and Showing Off on...
Dr. Joanna Peters Credits Dr. Galvan as Inspiration
Dr. Joanna Peters, a psychology alumni from the USD Class of 2008, credits Dr. Galvan to be a huge support and influence on her career.
Research Publication by Dr. Weyant
Dr. Weyant, a USD psychology professor, has recently been published in the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences.
Office Hours: Jena Hales, PhD
Learn more about Dr. Hales and other outstanding USD faculty through our ongoing Office Hours video series featuring casual conversations...
Psychological Sciences: Study Abroad Courses
The University of San Diego's Study Abroad Program allows undergraduate students to live and study in a multitude of different...
Summer Scholars Showcase Research at Colloquium
The second annual Summer Research Colloquium concluded the summer scholars’ program for 2019.
Neuroscience PURE Student Victoria Cendejas
PURE student Behavioral Neuroscience major, Victoria Cendejas
Department of Psychological Sciences
The objective of USD's Department of Psychological Sciences is to advance student understanding of psychology and behavioral neuroscience as a science, a profession and a means of promoting human welfare.
Why Choose Psychological Sciences at USD?
Advance your understanding of psychology as a science, a profession and a means of promoting the welfare of human and animal species with a degree in psychology or behavioral neuroscience.
Advanced Research Environment
Faculty actively pursue their own research, and you'll have the opportunity to benefit from their unique, distinguished experience in the lab and have co-publication opportunities or conduct your own research projects.
Real-World Experiences
With small class sizes and collaborative research projects, you'll gain tangible experiences in the lab and field that help deepen your understanding of complex topics.
Solid Communications Skills
You'll have the opportunity to present your research at conferences, as well as on campus at Creative Collaborations. This leads to the solid presentation and communication skills that employers are looking for.
Connect Beyond the Classroom
Learn from guest experts who present advanced psychological concepts to augment classwork, student research and faculty research.
In the News
Taking a Stand Against Systemic Racism - Psychological Sciences
// June 16, 2020
…
USD Vista's Kaia Hubbard '20 Takes Third in National Journalism Competition
// May 26, 2020
As March began, Kaia Hubbard's focus was split between taking her last semester of classes as a University of San Diego undergrad and leadin…
Video: Last Lecture Series featuring Dr. Rebekah Wanic
// April 24, 2020
…
Professor Laura Getz Adds a Personal Touch to Remote Learning
// April 17, 2020
Professor Laura Getz, PhD, never imagined her first year of teaching at the University of San Diego would be an experience like this –…
Dr. Ken Keith Will Discuss Forthcoming Book in Webinar
// November 7, 2019
Kenneth Keith, PhD, a professor emeritus of the Department of Psychological Sciences and a former chair, has a forthcoming book with his dau…
Upcoming Events
@USDPsychology on Facebook
-
Kenneth Keith, Professor Emeritus
Department of Psychological Sciences:
https://teachpsych.org/page-1703896/9141619 read more -
Are you subscribed to our department Alumni Newsletter? Read through our newsletter to learn more about student and faculty accomplishments this semester.
https://mailchi.mp/abcdd06c8ef7/ynf0equ2j0 read more -
Sarah Baker, Ph.D.
USD, 2011-2015
1. Describe your current position and the academic path you took in order to get there?
I recently graduated with my Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from The Rockefeller University in New York City where I focused my thesis work on discovering how blood proteins regulate the chronic neuroinflammation characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. I am now transitioning to a career in medical communications and I am working at a medical education agency that specializes in creating different types of science communications materials throughout the course of the development of a drug. The field is extremely fast paced, making it a fun and challenging space to be in. I am learning a lot every day.
2. Can you describe the psychology oriented research projects you are (were) involved in?
As a double major in both Biochemistry and Psychology while at USD, most of my research out of the classroom was related to chemistry and I worked in a physical chemistry lab where I studied optical properties of nanocrystals. However, the research methods courses that I took as part of the Psychology curriculum helped me to figure out how to ask good questions and how to rigorously evaluate my methods in order to make sure I was approaching my research properly. For example, in the research methods course with Dr. Wanic we practiced how to write an IRB application. This practice helped me a lot during graduate school because I had to fill out several IRB protocols for my research!
These are skills that I carried with me into graduate school.
3. How did your undergrad education at USD prepare you for your advanced studies?
When I first started at USD, the Behavioral Neuroscience major did not exist. I knew that I was interested in science, but during my first semester I took an Intro to Psychology course with Stephen Pearlberg and I fell in love with psychology as well. At that point, I decided to merge my interests in basic science and psychology by double majoring in both Biochemistry and Psychology to create my own sort of Neuroscience major. The liberal arts education at USD, where professors always expressed genuine interest in their students, provided me with a breadth and depth of knowledge that helped throughout my Ph.D. at a rigorous science institution. read more
Department of Psychological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Contact Us Email
Visit Campus Map
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110